Player Ratings: Brazil 3-0 Peru

BRAZIL

Julio Cesar – 6.5: Literally had one touch of the ball in the first half. Had to make one superb full-stretch save in the second period to deny Alexander Sanchez’s long range effort.

Dani Alves – 8: Involved in a number of intricate passing moves with Kaka and Robinho. Equally solid defending, although most of it was done by winning balls in the attacking half. Assisted the second goal with a brilliant chip with the outside of his right foot.

Lucio – 6.5: Had no problems in defence. Stepped up and joined Gilberto Silva as a defensive midfielder to allow the team to push forward. Charged upfield himself a few times.

Luisao – N/A: Only lasted ten minutes before hobbling off with a thigh injury.

Kleber – 6: Wasn’t as lively as his compatriot on the other flank but overlapped in attack on occasion to provide support. Always alert at the back and didn’t leave any gaping holes.

Elano – 6: Looked very dangerous with his long range shooting. But other than that and a few decent through balls, he didn’t have much to show.

Gilberto Silva – 7.5: After insipid display in Ecuador, he was back to his best, effortlessly robbing possession off his opponents time and again.

Felipe Melo – 7: Looked out of depth in attack in the first half, constantly losing the ball or misplacing his passes. But improved in the second and his persistence paid off, scoring his side’s third goal with a solo effort.

Kaka – 8: Showed just why Brazil missed his influenced so much in Ecuador. Not only did he bring an energetic creative spark in midfield, but his ability to open up spaces allowed his team-mates to excel. Won the penalty for the opening goal and had a hand in the third goal when he acted as a decoy for Felipe Melo.

Robinho – 7: Without having to shoulder the creative responsibilities on his own, he looked more relaxed and had more freedom to roam across the midfield. Constantly combined with Kaka to unlock the Peru defence and used his fancy footwork to create a few close chances of his own.

Luis Fabiano – 8: Coolly slotted home the penalty for the opening goal. Netted his second goal with a well-taken half volley after cleverly evading the offside trap. Would have had a hat-trick had he stayed onside after putting the ball in the net after just six minutes.

Substitutes:

Miranda – 6: Played as a sweeper when the rest of his team-mates were busy attacking.

Pato – 6.5: Didn’t have enough time to really threaten infront of goal but he enjoyed himself out there with a lively display. 

Ronaldinho – 6.5: Like Pato, the hometown hero had fun out on the pitch. Showed glimpses of brilliance and almost scored from a freekick.

PERU

Butron – 5: Had to make a number of important saves to keep the scores down. Could not have done much to deny the first and last goals but he perhaps should have come off his line and close down the angle to distract Luis Fabiano from scoring the second.

Prado – 5.5: Had a fascinating battle with Robinho. Came off second best most of the time but he didn’t allow the Manchester City winger to waltz all over him either.

Alberto Rodriguez – 7: Kept Brazil’s forwards at bay with countless vital interceptions and tackles inside the box.

Zambrano – 5.5: Made a very steady start and looked strong when challenging the likes of Kaka and Robinho. But it was his fouled on Kaka which allowed Brazil to open scoring.

Vilchez – 4: Completely shred to bits by the marauding Dani Alves. Barely knew where the Brazilian right-back was half the time. Looked more secure in the second period.

Solano – 6.5: Looked dangerous in the opening phases of each half with his threatening through balls. But once Brazil took control, he disappeared completely from the contest.

Rainer Torres – 5: Fought hard for every ball and had a number of tussles with Gilberto and Melo but he was completely overwhelmed by Brazil’s midfield talent.

La Rosa – 5: Focused more on attack instead of helping out in defence. Didn’t pressure the opponents and gave them far too much space.  

Ramirez – 5.5: Had moments when he threatened to explode down the left wing to exploit the space left by Dani Alves but he never had the support from his team-mates.

Pedro Garcia – 4: Barely had any meaningful touches of the ball in the entire game. Should have been taken off for Alex Sanchez earlier in the match.

Fano – 5: Starved of service upfront. Only had half-decent chances from crosses and long balls but unable to make anything of it.

Substitutes:

Alexander Sanchez – 7: Breathed life into Peru’s attack. Had more chances in the 30 minutes he was on than the rest of his team in the entire game, including an excellent effort from distance which almost caught Julio Cesar off-guard.

Carlos Fernandez – N/A

Alva – N/A

KS Leong, Goal.com